by Candace Bahouth

Her fantastical shoes are mosaic.

"flower" by Candace Bahouth

Imaginative.

"china" by Candace Bahouth

Bold.

"mirrored" by Candace Bahouth

Exceptionally constructed.

another stunning Candace Bahouth creation

Utterly gorgeous.

She designs astounding furniture as well. And her grottos – oh my! But the shoes…

I fall to pieces over them. What say you?

Well, I’ve found another alternative to the easily wilted and eventual decaying floral arrangement brides and first communion lambs must carry down the aisle…

camellia bouquet created by The Green Vase

Beautiful bouquets made from paper by Livia and Joanne at The Green Vase. Slightly less expensive than the afore-mentioned vintage bauble option, I find these creations tobe both delightfully delicate and reassuringly permanent.

pastel paper camellia bouquet by The Green Vase

And no, this does not mean I am planning any walk down the aisle.

What do you think? 

rock, crystal or plain ole magic?

I’m beginning to think that very little in life should ever be labelled “just a ______.”

Ain’t the universe truly grand?

bird cages

I came upon this tree, in the front yard of a stranger’s house. It was festooned with a multitude of cages both practical and surreal. It had a mate as well, bedecked with even more birdhouses. I heard no chirps from happy inhabitants but I was not dismayed. I don’t think that’s the point.

a mattress, part of the Street Treasures collection

I am utterly captivated by the tradition of abandoning unwanted furniture on sidewalks and street corners in urban centers. Does this happen in other countries? Does it happen in the burbs? I’ve always been curious to know the stories behind the rejects, long before that commercial with the catchy tune where the two guys pick up the discarded armchair and then toss it again upon discovering it stinks…

What was that ad for, again?

Anyway, I started snapping shots of these pieces a few months ago. I’ve named the project Street Treasures. Most of the images I’ve thus far gathered can be found in my emmajames Instagram stream but I’m going to continue developing the project and write some vignettes to accompany the photos. Perhaps it will turn into a book. Who knows?

Point is, I’m diggin’ it.

The above mattress is my latest Street Treasure, discovered on my walk home last night. It really is a pale pinkish-orange, like faded sherbet. Delicious.

Am I alone in my fascination with these finds?

a beach at twilight

The end of the day. The end of the weekend. The end of summer.

This is just an unnamed Southern California beach and sliver of sunset, captured at dusk on a Sunday from the upper deck of a train speeding home.

Beautiful. Wistful. Too brief.

hotel chandelier

I was in San Diego over the weekend, to take advantage of the fact that many people with whom I wanted to connect would be wandering the streets between BlogHer11 events. I stayed at the Hilton Bayfront and paid hard-earned money to be overcharged for a Peppermint Pattie, search in vain for a hotel robe, have an unnerving view from the pool of an enormous cargo ship loading Dole containers and listen to the never-ending hum of said cargo ship’s engine from every point in the building.

HOWEVER, the above-captured razzle-dazzle chandelier was on display.

It reminded me of the Lotus Chandelier I fell in love with over two years ago.

Someday, I’m going to have something like this in a room of my house. It may be the only thing in the room but…

IT WILL BE GLORIOUS!

opaque decanters via Joe Cariati

It’s been months since I’ve highlighted a Pleasure Find but Joe Cariati has inspired me with his stunning, hand-blown glass ornamentals. I first saw Joe’s work at the Dwell on Design convention some weeks ago and I haven’t stopped thinking since about it.

Currently, and unfortunately, I do not have a single table or shelf top uncluttered enough to allow for the acquisition and display of his work in my home.

But a girl can DREAM, right?

angelic collection via Joe Cariati

As soon as I purchase my first Neutra-inspired abode, my next call will be to Joe. He’s been refining his work for 20 years and lives locally with his very sweet wife, whom I also briefly met at the Dwell on Design event. I just liked them.

And I LOVE his glass.

translucent decanters via Joe Cariati

What do you think?

myBKR.com

I’m in love, love, LOVE with a new water bottle. Is that insane? Is my passion misplaced? I think not!

I cancelled my Arrowhead delivery over a year ago. I’ve been using environmentally friendly, non-plastic water bottles for a while. I finally got a refrigerator with a freezer compartment so I can make ice – ah, the joys of ice, particularly in the midst of our almost-perpetual HEAT WAVE! However, a few things recently conspired to compel me to hunt for something more, something BETTER.

1. I got the diagnosis. I’ve learned that hydration is very important when trying to regulate sugars.
2. I read Crazy, Sexy Diet. I’ve been inspired to increase the amount of veggies in my food regime.
3. I found my blender. I’ve tried my hand at JUICING my veggies and – oh holy hell – I LIKE it!

So, I now know how to make green juices. Green juices and metal containers do not combine well. I never have time to drink my green juices while leisurely reading the Sunday funnies (do they even have those any more?) on my (nonexistent) patio.

What I need is a portable, compact, cute bottle made out of GLASS.

A friend of mine has a childhood friend who just started a company that makes exactly what I need.

DON’T YOU LOVE WHEN KARMA COOPERATES WITH DESIRE?

And now I have a crush. (And neither of them know about it… yet.)

Seriously, people, I love the design of these bottles, I love the look of the website and I particularly love Tal and Kate’s philosophy and philanthropy. Hell, even the names of the bottle colors makes me giddy. It reminds me of when I first saw Apple products. In fact, one could argue the aesthetic is the same. I purchased “pool.” Doesn’t that just make you feel the splash?

What do you think?

Sungazer Ring via Sundance

GLEE! It’s soooo pretty, soooo shiney and soooo sweetly subtle.

DISMAY! It’s soooo not in my price range… though not quite as bad as the Diorette one I drooled over in Duty Free a while back… Anyone out there feeling compelled to gift me with some finger dressing?

I blame Ez for making me look.

And at what – do tell! – do you keep sneaking a peak?